Month: October 2019

Known as the world’s longest navigable river, the Murray River is home to diverse flora and fauna. Visiting a river has benefits for our mental health. Considering Murray River for your picnic plans will do more than enough for your relaxation and stress-recovery period. Here is a beginner’s guide for your picnic plans.

Decide On What Food To Bring

Ask everybody if they want to cook on the spot or bring ready-made food instead. You can bring sandwiches, finger food, and other non-messy stuff to eat while you are marveling at the scenery. You can also bring fruits and vegetable salad, so the benefits of this trip will target both your physical and mental aspects.

Avoid bringing food that needs cutting. If you want to experience cooking outside, make sure that you have every ingredient that you need. Remember that this is a place where supermarkets and grocery stores are not easily accessible. Bring everything that you think you will need.

Bring a variety of drinks both for kids and adults. Check the policies of the Murray River picnic area to see if there are certain drinks that they prohibit in the premises. Do not forget to bring water, healthy juices, and ice enough for all of you.

Do Not Forget The Tableware

Do not be so engrossed with the food itself that you already forget about utensils. Opt for eco-friendly disposable utensils instead of plastic ones. If you can also put your food in reusable containers, the better. Do not forget to put cups, plates, serving utensils, and paper napkins on your next grocery list for this picnic. Bottle openers are also a must. Cloth napkins will also come extra handy at the venue.

List Down All The Essentials

Prepare your mats, tents, and picnic chairs ahead of the picnic schedule. Common picnic materials also include foldable beds, coolers, baskets, binoculars, and even trekking gears. Include emergency kits and other hygiene stuff in your to-bring list. Water facilities are not readily accessible in the picnic spots, so bring sanitizers and moist towelettes with you always.

Pack Your Hobby Kit

Going to a river picnic does not mean that you have to stick with fishing, boating, sleeping, and other typical river activities. You can also do your other hobbies such as painting, drawing, reading, and photography, among other things.

Moreover, be ready to try new activities that the picnic area has to offer. As early as now, check if your planned activities are allowed in the Murray River. Ask everybody to pack enough power sources and gear to try new activities you have never done before.

Remind Everybody Of Your Responsibility To Nature 

Pack up paper bags and disposable trash bags for the picnic. Never leave any trace of trash on any picnic spot around the Murray River. You will arrive there without any litter, so be sure to take everything with you as you leave. Be considerate to nature and for the next picnic-goers in the area.

You can get the most out of the therapeutic benefits of the Murray River by following these tips. What are you waiting for? Plan that trip and head outside as soon as the skies give that picnic-season vibes!

Modern life demands work and no play, which can cause damage to your physical health and well-being. Your motivation fades away, and everything becomes too repetitive. In this dreaded situation, the best thing to do is give yourself space and engage in a relaxing hobby. One of the best examples of such a hobby is fishing.

Fishing is one of the most well-known hobbies in the world. It is no surprise that even until now, the tradition of recreational fishing is still alive. However, the idea of fishing can be daunting and unfamiliar to some people. Little do they know that this simple recreational activity can provide a lot of benefits to your health and life.

Here’s why you should take up fishing as a hobby.

Fishing Can Reduce Stress Levels

Fishing consists of paying attention to one task only. You have to focus on catching a fish. Moreover, nature is surrounding you and you alone. When you are fishing, your senses are not overwhelmed. All you can hear are the calming sounds of water and wind.

“Living in constant stress mode will make you sick indeed.” Allan R. Cohen, PsyD said. Because of this, fishing is similar to meditation. It can give you some benefits as well, such as stress relief and decreased anxiety. Fishing can also lower your blood pressure and provide therapeutic counseling help to those who have PTSD.

Fishing Is A Form Of Physical Exercise

This aquatic activity is not just about sitting and waiting. Walking around the body of water to find the right fishing spot works your heart and lungs. Casting a line accurately and reeling the fish in requires you to move both your upper and lower body. Besides, “The more you are active, the more you decrease your risk for chronic diseases, including cancer.” Whittney Thoman, Senior Exercise Physiologist explained. 

For those who fish while riding a canoe, learning how to balance yourself and using your core strength is essential. Before long, you have already done a full workout outside of the gym. An hour of fishing can burn around 130–175 calories.

Moreover, the motions of fishing are quite similar to physical therapy. People recovering from breast cancer are often recommended to try fishing as a way of exercise and recovery.

Fishing also requires you to be outdoors, which allows you to absorb vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D keeps your bones healthy, regulates insulin levels, boosts your immune system, and helps in fighting depression.

Fishing Teaches You How To Become Better

Modern living has trained us to be dependent on our gadgets and the Internet for almost everything. However, fishing encourages you to learn and develop skills by yourself. Benefits of going outside and exploring nature teaches you how to rely on yourself. 

Grasping the skill of self-reliance also improves your self-esteem. Fishing is not just about relaxation. For some people, it is also about attaining goals, such as catching your first fish. There is nothing more satisfying than to see that your effort has paid off. Of course, “The best progress happens when you apply what you’ve learned outside that setting, in your real life.” says Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D.

Fishing improves your physical and mental health and teaches you about patience. To catch a fish after a long wait is a moment of pure delight that you can never forget. It shows you that in a world where everything is instant, good things come to those who wait.

Canoeing is an outdoor activity for people who want to feel the rush and beauty of nature. However, it is a top priority for paddlers to know the necessary safety precautions before getting in the water.

Whether or not you’re an expert in navigating rivers or just a starter in the sport, you must be aware of the dangers out there. Keep in mind these guidelines for when you make your next canoeing trip and be sure to share them with your group. After all, the adventure is more fun if there won’t be injuries involved.

Gearing Up

It can be tricky once you’re out there in the water. That’s why you should have the equipment that will help you stay safe and afloat. Here are the things you need:

• Personal floatation device or lifejackets. This device is an absolute necessity for every canoeist to remain safe and uninjured during the activity.
• Appropriate footwear. Boots, water shoes, and sneakers are usually are the top picks for when you go out for water paddling. They protect your feet from rocks, glass, and sea creatures.
• Head covering. Helmets, skull caps, and hats with a brim can protect you from the harsh sunlight or the cold weather.
• Dry bags. Your dry bag will keep necessities such as your phone, radio, first aid kit, food, towel, knife, and identification.
• Rope throw bag. This item is a rescue device just in case a person gets thrown in the water. With this equipment, you can pull the swimmer to safety.

Before Canoeing

While canoeing is generally a safe outdoor activity, you still have to look out for the worst. Before going out, check the forecast to be sure that you won’t get caught in harmful waves and strong winds. You should opt for calm areas rather than open waters. When you’re packing, make sure you have your safety equipment with you. Don’t forget to bring a spare paddle with you just in case you break the one you have.

Before stepping in your canoe, make sure to stretch to prepare your body for the physical activity. Put on some sunscreen and your protective gear. When loading, the first person getting in sits on the front; when getting out, the one at the rear goes first. If you’re alone, stay as low as possible and centered when getting in your canoe. This position will give you the most control of your boat and will help you remain stabilized.

While In The Water

Expect a lot of obstacles in the water. When you’re on a river, be sure to look ahead of you and consider the flow of the water. By being aware of what’s in front of you, you can calculate the path and objects on your way.

Note that when you approach a bend, the area inside the curve has shallow waters. If you’re on a lake, stay close to the shore. You don’t want to paddle somewhere that puts you in danger during unexpected thunderstorms.

Avoid touching objects in the water because it might tip off the balance of your canoe. When you come in contact with an obstacle, you might accidentally shift your weight and fall of your boat. If you get in the water, be calm as possible and distance yourself away from the canoe. Doing this will prevent you from getting trapped underneath. Be conscious of possible cracks and depressions that can catch your foot.

Ready to add canoeing to your life experiences? Happy paddling!